Big Tex: Before, and after, the fire

October 19, 2012 10:58 AM

Workers raise Big Tex for his 60th time for the Texas State Fair at Fair Park in Dallas September 24, 2012. (Nathan Hunsinger/ The Dallas Morning News)

Workers raise Big Tex for his 60th time for the Texas State Fair at Fair Park in Dallas September 24, 2012. (Nathan Hunsinger/ The Dallas Morning News)

Workers raise Big Tex for his 60th time for the Texas State Fair... Photo-3514366.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 3 of 32

Gene Baker, with the State Fair, leans out on the shoulder of Big Tex to unfasten the lift cables on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A Timeless Tradition", is also the 125th anniversary of the Fair in Dallas. (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley) less

Gene Baker, with the State Fair, leans out on the shoulder of Big Tex to unfasten the lift cables on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A ... more

Photo: Paul Moseley

Gene Baker, with the State Fair, leans out on the shoulder of Big... Photo-1668415.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 4 of 32

Big Tex weighs-in at 6,000 pounds and is 52 feet tall. He wears a 75-gallon hat and size 70 boots.

Big Tex weighs-in at 6,000 pounds and is 52 feet tall. He wears a 75-gallon hat and size 70 boots.

Amanda Christianson is help up by John Stewart next to Big Tex for a friend, not shown, to take a photo of the pair at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Amanda Christianson is help up by John Stewart next to Big Tex for a friend, not shown, to take a photo of the pair at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press

Amanda Christianson is help up by John Stewart next to Big Tex for... Photo-3614345.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 32

Six-month-old Baron Rodriguez, of Crandall, Texas, is held up by his mother Natasha Rodriguez for a photo with Big Tex as his brother Anthony Rodriguez, 11, looks on during the State Fair of Texas, Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, in Dallas. According to Natasha Rodriguez, she has held up each of her three children for a photo with Big Tex when they were infants. less

Six-month-old Baron Rodriguez, of Crandall, Texas, is held up by his mother Natasha Rodriguez for a photo with Big Tex as his brother Anthony Rodriguez, 11, looks on during the State Fair of Texas, Friday, ... more

The State Fair of Texas' 52-foot mechanical cowboy, Big Tex, sports an American flag and red, white and blue ribbons on his chest as he turns his head and tells people about events during opening day, Friday, Sept. 28, 2001, in Dallas. This year's fair runs for 24 days. (AP Photo/Bill Janscha) HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/25/2002): State Fair icon Big Tex has a music festival named in his honor. less

The State Fair of Texas' 52-foot mechanical cowboy, Big Tex, sports an American flag and red, white and blue ribbons on his chest as he turns his head and tells people about events during opening day, Friday, ... more

School and day care children gather to see the lifting of Big Tex on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A Timeless Tradition", is also the 125th anniversary of the Fair in Dallas. (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley) less

School and day care children gather to see the lifting of Big Tex on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A Timeless Tradition", is also the ... more

Photo: Paul Moseley, Associated Press

School and day care children gather to see the lifting of Big Tex... Photo-1627476.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 15 of 32

The 52-foot-tall cowboy known as Big Tex is made ready to welcome visitors to the State Fair of Texas after being lifted up to his familiar spot on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening day, which will be Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Lara Solt) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY less

The 52-foot-tall cowboy known as Big Tex is made ready to welcome visitors to the State Fair of Texas after being lifted up to his familiar spot on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas' ... more

Photo: Lara Solt, Associated Press

The 52-foot-tall cowboy known as Big Tex is made ready to welcome... Photo-1627478.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 16 of 32

Workers shine Big Tex's boots before the 52-foot-tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening day, which will be Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Lara Solt) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY less

Workers shine Big Tex's boots before the 52-foot-tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening ... more

Tim Thibodeaux puts the finishing touches on Big Tex's neck tie before the 52-foot -tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening day, which will be Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Lara Solt) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY less

Tim Thibodeaux puts the finishing touches on Big Tex's neck tie before the 52-foot -tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The State Fair of Texas' ... more

During a portrait, Jose Luis Martinez Hernandez of Mexico City kisses his wife, Sara Rice of Dallas after their friend Tom "Pinky Diablo" Sale of Ennis conducted their wedding ceremony in front of Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas on Oct. 12, 2010. (Brendan Sullivan/The Dallas Morning News) less

During a portrait, Jose Luis Martinez Hernandez of Mexico City kisses his wife, Sara Rice of Dallas after their friend Tom "Pinky Diablo" Sale of Ennis conducted their wedding ceremony in front of Big Tex at ... more

Children watch as Big Tex is put into place in preparation for the Sate Fair of Texas in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 22, 2008. Big Tex is wearing new jeans and a new yellow cowboy-style yellow shirt. This is the first time Big Texas has ever worn yellow. The Texas State Fair runs from Sept. 26 thru Oct. 19th. less

Children watch as Big Tex is put into place in preparation for the Sate Fair of Texas in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 22, 2008. Big Tex is wearing new jeans and a new yellow cowboy-style yellow shirt. This is the ... more

Photo: Donna McWilliam, AP

Children watch as Big Tex is put into place in preparation for the... Photo-3495953.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 21 of 32

Teacher Kelly Vaughn points as she talks with students from the da Vinci preschool as they wait to see the 52-foot tall statue, "Big Tex" put in place in preparation for the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 22, 2008. The State Fair runs from Sept. 26 thru Oct. 19. less

Teacher Kelly Vaughn points as she talks with students from the da Vinci preschool as they wait to see the 52-foot tall statue, "Big Tex" put in place in preparation for the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, ... more

Photo: Donna McWilliam, AP

Teacher Kelly Vaughn points as she talks with students from the da... Photo-3495954.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 32

Carson Peters (cq), 7, of Dallas, uses his corndog to play swords with is brother Canon Peters, 4, as they visit Big Tex and the State Fair of Texas Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, in Dallas. The fair will be opened until Oct. 21, 2007. ( Nick de la Torre / Chronicle ) less

Carson Peters (cq), 7, of Dallas, uses his corndog to play swords with is brother Canon Peters, 4, as they visit Big Tex and the State Fair of Texas Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, in Dallas. The fair will be opened ... more

Big Tex greets over 3 million visitors to the State Fair of Texas each year. The State Fair is held annually at Fair Park, located near Downtown Dallas.
Credits: Lloyd Poissenot/Stock Studios/Dallas CVB

Big Tex greets over 3 million visitors to the State Fair of Texas each year. The State Fair is held annually at Fair Park, located near Downtown Dallas.
Credits: Lloyd Poissenot/Stock Studios/Dallas CVB

Photo: Lloyd Poissenot, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bur

Big Tex greets over 3 million visitors to the State Fair of Texas... Photo-3495970.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 24 of 32

Big Tex welcomes evening visitors to the State Fair of Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, in Dallas. The State Fair runs through Oct. 23, 2005.

Big Tex welcomes evening visitors to the State Fair of Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, in Dallas. The State Fair runs through Oct. 23, 2005.

His duds may change from year to year and he occasionally gets technological upgrades, but the familiar sight of Big Tex getting prepped for the State Fair has always facinated Texans.

His duds may change from year to year and he occasionally gets technological upgrades, but the familiar sight of Big Tex getting prepped for the State Fair has always facinated Texans.

Photo: MATT SLOCUM, Associated Press

His duds may change from year to year and he occasionally gets... Photo-1130592.51008 - Houston Chronicle

Image 26 of 32

Big Tex stands tall as rain clouds pass overhead Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Texas. Early-morning rain kept the number of visitors down and workers were trying to stay dry as they prepared for the day. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Guy Reynolds) ** NO SALES, MAGS OUT, TV OUT, INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY ** less

Big Tex stands tall as rain clouds pass overhead Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Texas. Early-morning rain kept the number of visitors down and workers were trying to stay dry as ... more

Tim Thibodeaux, top, and Charles Roberts, zip up Big Tex, a 52-foot-tall talking cowboy figure before the opening of the State Fair of Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005, in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas opens Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 23. less

Tim Thibodeaux, top, and Charles Roberts, zip up Big Tex, a 52-foot-tall talking cowboy figure before the opening of the State Fair of Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005, in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas opens ... more

State Fair of Texas icon "Big Tex," hangs from a crane as workers at the base of the structure mount it to the ground, Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, in Dallas. "Big Tex" is a 52-foot structure that speaks, greeting fair-goers to the fair ground for the Texas State Fair that begins Sept 26 and runs through Oct. 19. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/23/2003): The State Fair of Texas' official mascot, Big Tex, hangs from a crane as workers secure the base of the structure to the ground Monday in Dallas. The 52-foot character greets fairgoers every year with a booming "Howdy, folks!" The State Fair begins Friday and runs through Oct. 19. less

State Fair of Texas icon "Big Tex," hangs from a crane as workers at the base of the structure mount it to the ground, Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, in Dallas. "Big Tex" is a 52-foot structure that speaks, greeting ... more